Dual Degree Option BSc CENG-MPA
Program Overview
Students enrolled in AUC’s School of Sciences and Engineering may apply to complete the MPA on an accelerated basis, in conjunction with the completion of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Students interested in this option should consult with their advisers during the fall semester of their fourth year for potential admission to the program in their fifth year.
The program prepares students for careers in the public sphere with the highest ethical standards, strong competencies in environmental analysis and management as well as public governance, excellent leadership and communication skills, a sound understanding of the use of evidence and analysis in public service settings, and a commitment to building a better future for the people of Egypt and the region. Students pursue careers in government, nonprofit organizations, international development agencies, academia, and the private sector.
The program is jointly administered by the Department of Public Policy and Administration in the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and the School of Sciences and Engineering.
At present, this option is open only to students completing a bachelor’s in construction engineering.
Degrees and Admission Requirements
Students wishing to pursue accelerated MPA in conjunction with the completion of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering should meet the minimum academic and admission requirements set by AUC.
Career Opportunities
The program prepares students for careers in public service with the highest ethical standards, strong competencies in environmental analysis and management as well as public governance, excellent leadership and communication skills, a sound understanding of the use of evidence and analysis in public service settings, and a commitment to building a better future for the people of Egypt and the region. Students pursue careers in government, non-profit organizations, international development agencies, academia, and the private sector.
Thesis Track
Students are required to write a thesis on some aspect of public administration relevant to their concentration. The preparation of the thesis and the thesis itself must comply with Departmental and AUC guidelines with regard to content, format, dates, and the review and supervision process. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these guidelines and meeting formal deadlines. Students preparing the thesis normally develop a preliminary thesis proposal during PPAD 5201, a required core course, but may prepare an alternative thesis proposal if desired. Once the proposal is approved, students should enroll in PPAD 5298, the thesis research seminar, in the first semester in which they are working on the research component and write-up of their thesis. Thereafter, if additional work is required to complete the thesis, students can enroll each semester in PPAD 5299.
Non-Thesis Track
Students who do not wish to undertake a thesis can choose to substitute the thesis with one additional PPAD 3 credit course, with the approval of the program director, and then sit for a comprehensive examination after completing all program course requirements. A comprehensive examination is usually offered in mid-December and mid-April. Students not registered for courses or thesis credit hours and planning to sit for the comprehensive examination in any semester must register for comprehensives (PPAD 5288 ) in that semester and pay tuition equivalent to one graduate credit hour.
The comprehensive examination may be repeated once. A student who fails the comprehensive examination a second time would be dismissed from the degree program after the end of the semester in which the examination was retaken.
Fellowships
Fellowships are highly competitive awards. They are open to new students and may also be available to continuing graduate students who display superior performance in their academic endeavors, depending on the availability of allocated funds for a given fellowship award.
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